All - Leep Calendar

Pancake Day (also called Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday) is the last great gasp of gluttony before the 40 days of Lent in the Christian calendar. The custom during Lent is to give up something you enjoy and fast from that enjoyment to mark the 40 days leading up to Easter. In Australia, Canada, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, this day before Ash Wednesday is often celebrated by eating pancakes with lots of syrup and butter. Thus the name Pancake Day.

Africa

Feb

Pseudonym Day, (Get a Different Name): February 13

06:20 AM | -

Get a Different Name Day, also called Pseudonym Day, is one of the more colorful events of the year. It is an excellent opportunity for teachers to explore pen names and theatrical names used by people. Examples include Archibald Leach, Norma Jeane Mortenson, and Samuel Langhorne Clemens. Can you name the popular name for each of these people? Sometimes a new name is a good thing!

Africa

Feb

Radio Day, World (1946): February 13

06:20 AM | -

World Radio Day celebrates audio media. Its purpose is to improve international cooperation between broadcasters and encourage major networks and community radio to promote access to information, freedom of expression, and gender equality over the airwaves. As radio continues to evolve in the digital age, it remains the medium that reaches the widest audience worldwide. It is essential to further UNESCO’s commitment to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. The day marks the anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations Radio, February 13, 1946.

Africa

Feb

Safer Internet Day, Intl.: February 13

06:20 AM | -

Safer Internet Day (SID) by Insafe occurs in February. Its objective is to promote safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones within the European Union. In 2018 this event went worldwide. The European Union co-funds this event, and the target market is teachers and K-12 children in the EU and globally. Resources are available in a variety of languages.

Africa

Feb

Shrove Tuesday (C): February 13

06:20 AM | -

Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day, Fat Tuesday) was initially a day of repentance and reflection (1 Corinthians 9:27), marking the end of Epiphany and the upcoming season of Lent. It is part of the Carnaval celebration and the final day of debauchery, festivities, and merry-making before 40 days of sacrifice and fasting begin. Up through the Middle Ages, it was prohibited for Christians to eat meats, fats, eggs, milk, and fish during the season of Lent. Families purged the larder so nothing would spoil. In some countries, this day is called Pancake Day, and Christians eat pancakes to mark the day. Shrove is the past tense of the verb "shrive," which means "to present oneself for confession, penance, and absolution." Due to these customs, Shrove Tuesday also became known as Fat Tuesday.

Africa

Feb

Shrovetide Pancake Race (UK/US-KS): February 13

06:20 AM | -

Talk about tradition! The Shrovetide Pancake Race began in 1445 AD! This race is only open to women sixteen years of age, who dress in traditional housewife attire (dress, apron, and scarf), toss a pancake in a pan, running from the market to the church. The winner is rewarded with a kiss. Always on Shrove Tuesday, the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of Lent, in Olney, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom. Across the pond, The Shrovetide Pancake Race occurs in Liberal, Kansas. The two towns compete annually for the fastest time, and the Liberal event began in 1950. Why pancakes? Up through the Middle Ages, it was prohibited for Christians to eat meats, fats, eggs, milk, and fish during the season of Lent. Families purged the larder so nothing would spoil. In some countries, this day is called Pancake Day, and Christians eat pancakes to mark the day. Shrove is the past tense of the verb "shrive," which means "to present oneself for confession, penance, and absolution." Due to these customs, Shrove Tuesday also became known as Fat Tuesday.

Africa

Feb

Tortellini Day, Ntl.: February 13

06:20 AM | -

Tortellini Day celebrates the pasta dumpling in the shape of a naval. It is usually stuffed with cheese, meats, and vegetables and can be eaten alone, in a broth or red or white sauce. It is rumored to have been inspired by the daughter of Pope Alexander VI, Lucrezia Borgia’s (1480-1519) naval. The first known mention of tortellini occurred during the 16th century.

Africa

Feb

Wingman's Day, Ntl: February 13

06:20 AM | -

Wingmen are the best friends of guys who look out for their buddy's best interests in dating, flirting, and life. Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, typically when the wingman gets forgotten as the friend focuses on love. So, Wingman's Day is set aside to honor these essential friends on the day before they get ditched. This event first ran in 2016. Annually on February 13.

Africa

Feb

Ash Wednesday (C): February 14

06:20 AM | -

Ash Wednesday is the first day of the season of Lent (the 40 days leading up to Easter). In ancient times Christians believed throwing ash over your head indicated to God that you were repenting (changing your ways and asking for forgiveness). Ash Wednesday occurs on the first day after Carnaval and Mardi Gras.

Africa

Feb

Bird, Nest Box Week (UK), Ntl.: February 14-21

06:20 AM | -

National Nest Box Week takes place every February 14-21, when people put nest boxes in their community to conserve indigenous birds and enhance biodiversity. During this time, people are encouraged to build boxes for birds and monitor what birds reside in them. Supported by Jacobi Jayne & Co. and collaborated with Chris Mead, this event is part of the ornithological calendar and has been going on for over two decades.

Africa

Feb

Book Giving Day, Intl.: February 14

06:20 AM | -

International Book Giving Day seeks to get books into the hands of children worldwide on Valentine's Day each year. This event was first held in 2012 and is active in more than 44 countries. Activities include book gifting, book walks, storytelling sessions, book drives, and book hunts (think Easter egg hunts, but with wrapped books.

Africa

Feb

Chocolates Day, Ntl. Cream-Filled: February 14

06:20 AM | -

Chocolates and flowers are traditional Valentine's gifts, which may be why National Cream-Filled Chocolates Day is today. Of course, the name for these chocolates in heart-shaped boxes with various fillings is truffles. Whatever you call them, enjoy eating your way through Valentine's Day.

Africa

Feb

Condom Day, Ntl. (AU): February 14

06:20 AM | -

Valentine's Day is a day of love. What better time to focus on the benefits of condom use in helping to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies? Each year Sexual Health Quarters, a family planning organization in Western Australia, hosts the National Condom Day awareness campaign in Australia.

Africa

Feb

Condom Week, Ntl: February 14-21

06:20 AM | -

National Condom Week is part of National Condom Month and occurs the week of Valentine's Day, the day of love. The purpose is to focus attention on safe sexual habits and preventing sexual diseases through the use of a condom. The AIDS Healthcare Foundation traditionally hands out free condoms throughout the world. See your city for details. The condom has existed in one form or another since 1564. The first condoms were developed by Gabriel Falloppio and consisted of a linen bag drenched in salt or herbs to protect men against syphilis. Eventually, it earned the nickname "English Raincoat." By the 18th century, sheep and goat intestines, silk, and linen were used, and men had to tie these to their bodies to prevent them from coming off. The name condom is from the Latin "condus," which translates to "receptacle." Today there are both male and female versions of the condom, typically made of latex (rubber), sheep intestines, or plastic.

Africa

Feb

Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day: February 14

06:20 AM | -

The final day of Congenital Heart Defect Week is Congenital Heart Defect Day. CHD is considered to be the most common congenital disability and is a leading cause of birth-defect-related deaths worldwide. Even though CHD affects approximately 1.8 million families in the US, a relatively small amount of funding is currently available for parent/patient educational services, research, and support. By sharing our experiences and providing information, we hope to raise public awareness about conditions that affect approximately 40,000 babies each year in the United States alone.

Africa